AT THE entrance to Ringland Primary School a striking mosaic of Nelson Mandela greets the visitor with the quote “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.

Combining creativity and tradition, the mosaic sets the tone for the school’s philosophy under head teacher Lisa Bowden, who was appointed at the school in January 2008.

Blessed with a large site, with panoramic views across Newport, it is perhaps little surprise that the school’s teaching philosophy is centred on learning in a natural environment.

The school’s recently refurbished nursery sets the tone for this natural ethos, with wooden furniture throughout.

Danielle McFarland, who teaches the nursery class, said that in tandem with research by the school, the idea of a more natural environment was driven by the children’s parents.

She said: “The nursery is a new area, with an ethos of outdoor learning. It’s a natural area and there is wood everywhere, whether it’s the sandpit or the furniture, and the parents painted the outside. It’s a parent driven ethos.

“The wood adds to that calm, natural environment and has been really successful. A lot of the children do not necessarily come from a calm environment so it’s great to have them outside as much as possible. The boys, in particular, learn so much. We have the lessons outside, come rain or shine.”

Central to the school’s research into the benefits of a natural environment was how calm the pupils would be as a result of the freedom of being out in the elements.

Ruth Bishop, who teaches reception, added that it is a refreshing environment for the children.

She added: “It’s been great for the children’s involvement, concentration, and just general wellbeing. We bring the outdoors in, with natural resources inside such as pine cones, leaves and conkers.

“It’s a movement away from plastic and we encourage sensory play, with water and sand. It’s hands-on learning for foundation phase practice. It’s what our children need and it’s our philosophy.”

With the school sprawling across numerous green fields and play areas, it is not just the nursery and reception classes who have benefited from this tranquil environment.

The school’s head teacher, Ms Bowden, said that there are many benefits to having lessons outside.

She said: “Research says the pupils learn best in a natural, creative environment. It generates enthusiasm and an enquiring mind. It also aids their muscular development and helps the child physically.

“We do a huge amount outdoors to enrich the curriculum and the children’s appetite for learning. Their disposition is excellent as a result.

“We recently secured funding from Newport Homes for an allotment area and a mud kitchen in the New Year. It’s an opportunity to put the children’s numeracy and literacy into context.

“It’s been a huge investment from the Welsh government.”

Alongside the separate nursery and reception unit, the sprawling school is set over three floors with a gymnasium that doubles up as a canteen and assembly area.

Yet, among the most popular facilities in the school is the library, which combines traditional group reading sessions with 21st century teaching techniques.

Classical music plays as the Year One students diligently read and Miss Bowden said that school has focused on getting children reading at home, as well as at school.

She said: “The library was recently refurbished with new furniture and is one of the more popular classes.

“There’s a huge focus on reading at home. We encourage the kids to retrieve information, to explore what they are reading, to analyse it, and then deduce it.

“We use characters to normalise reading and it prepares them for lifelong reading skills, as well as improving their own writing.

“We marry traditional skills with 21st century learning and have iPads in the reception class and throughout the school.

“There is also a computer in the library and pupils can have their own reading time or take part in a guided group session.”

It is not just with technology that the school has proved progressive and Ringland Primary’s school council is among those to have benefited from the school’s dynamic approach.

Miss Bowden said that the council has a big role to play in making decisions at the school.

She said: “The school council is very active and they put together ideas on how to further improve the school. We’ve always had it and the Year Six committee is involved, alongside members from each class.

“They have helped to make various decisions, such as what play areas they wanted at the playground or which charities they wished to raise money for.

“So, for example, for Children in Need, the council came up with the idea to raise money through everyone bringing in their pennies and filling up a big Pudsey bear. We ended up raising £187.”

With an enterprise club, art class, choir, eco council, music room, Forest Club and aspiration project, the school has plenty to celebrate.

However, the school is always looking to improve and Mrs Bowden said that the school has made a conscious effort to improve attendance figures and to reward good attendance.

She said: “We review attendance at assembly and then celebrate it with awards. It’s about promoting the figure of 95 per cent and it’s having an impact. The figure needed to improve and we have family engagement officers, too. The class board came in this year, but we’ve always celebrated attendance at assembly on Fridays and those who achieve 100 per cent are put into a draw for a family day out. Over 10 children achieved it last year, proving that a positive attitude and a healthy lunch can raise attendances.”

Head teacher: Lisa Bowden

Number of pupils: 230

Age range: Two and a half to 11 years

Largest class: Reception, 30

Motto: TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More)

Head of governors: Ivor Cox

Inspection: The school’s last Estyn report took place in November 2010, when the school’s current performance was rated as good. The school’s prospects for improvement were also rated as good, with the head teacher’s vision and the staff's commitment commended. The main recommendations were that attendance be improved and that the standards in Welsh language skills at key stage two were raised.